RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate a cohort in German hardmetal industry, especially relationship between exposures to cobalt, with and without tungsten, and risks of total and cause-specific mortality. METHODS: The cohort comprises blue-collar workers at three German plants who were employed in hardmetal processing. Individual cumulative exposures and long-term average concentrations were estimated for cobalt, nickel, tungsten, respirable, and inhalable dust. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for external comparisons. Time-dependent multivariable Cox models were performed for internal analyses. RESULTS: Elevated SMRs were found for all-cause, heart diseases, and nonmalignant respiratory diseases mortality, but not for lung cancer. Internal analyses did not show increased risks for any endpoints, and no exposure-response relationship was indicated. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not provide evidence for elevated lung cancer risks. Methodologic limitations, incomplete ascertainment of death causes in particular, impede conclusions about exposure effects.
Assuntos
Ligas/efeitos adversos , Indústria Química/estatística & dados numéricos , Cobalto/efeitos adversos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/mortalidade , Doenças Profissionais/mortalidade , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Tungstênio/efeitos adversos , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Causas de Morte , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Alemanha , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/induzido quimicamente , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Exposição Ocupacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Based on a pooled analysis of data from an international study, evaluate total and cause-specific mortality among hardmetal production workers with emphasis on lung cancer. METHODS: Study members were 32,354 workers from three companies and 17 manufacturing sites in five countries. We computed standardized mortality ratios and evaluated exposure-response via relative risk regression analysis. RESULTS: Among long-term workers, we observed overall deficits or slight excesses in deaths for total mortality, all cancers, and lung cancer and found no evidence of any exposure-response relationships for lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence that duration, average intensity, or cumulative exposure to tungsten, cobalt, or nickel, at levels experienced by the workers examined, increases lung cancer mortality risks. We also found no evidence that work in these facilities increased mortality risks from any other causes of death.
